04/02/2007

Grandpa Durling with my Dad at my wedding, Dec. 18, 2005

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"We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road.

And those who've gone before us line the way;

Cheering on the faithful,

Encouraging the weary,

Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace.

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

Let us run the race not only for the prize.

But as those who've gone before us,

Let us leave to those behind us

The heritage of faithfulness passed on through Godly lives.

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

May the fire of our devotion light their way.

May the footprints that we leave

Lead them to believe

And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.

After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone,

And our children sift through all we've left behind,

May the clues that they discover

And the memories they uncover

Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find.

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful.
May the fire of our devotion light their way.
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful."

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Thinking of Grandpa Durling who will be spending tonight in a hospital room. No one of us could ever say that you weren't 'found faithful.' I really said 'goodbye' to you a long time ago, but for as long as my memory is with me, the challenge of your life will be imprinted on my heart. I envy your simple and sincere faith. I wish to have your kind and compassionate heart. I want to learn to be more like you: quicker to smile and laugh, quicker to extend grace, but ready to remain firmly planted in your convictions and willing to take action in order that truth might be protected. I want to be more like you, because you are more like Jesus than most people I've met. You were always reflecting on Jesus, and when you were poked, He is what you bled. I'm not there yet. When I'm put under pressure I tend to find out more about my character and less about Jesus. When you were put under pressure we would hear you sing, "No one ever cared for me like Jesus." You are a blessing to me. I wish my children could know you and I pray that my children will be like you. Sleep well, Grandpa, you're on my heart.